Pre-School Connection

I love cooking and baking with the children. However, we have had some severe food allergies in the last few years. The children in this year's class seem to tolerate pretty much all types of food from every food group! They love to eat and appear to be hungry all the time! We will try to bake/cook once a week.

Baking and cooking is a math lesson for the children. They learn about following a recipe and using the correct measurements. They see the difference between a cup, a half cup, a quarter cup, and a third of a cup. They see the small amount of a half teaspoon, a teaspoon and a tablespoon. They watch as white flour mixed with cocoa turns brown. They see the change from dry to wet as oil, water or eggs are added to the bowl.

Yesterday we prepared to make brownies. When Brendan walked in, he noticed my "perfect brownie ban". He told me he had seen the commercial advertising it on TV and proceeded to give me a lesson in placing the pan on the stand and watching the bottom come down.

We mixed and baked the brownies. And yes- the pan lived up to its expectations. The brownies were perfect!!!!

We're having fun in GYM Class, singing, dancing, exercising and doing YOGA!





We have completed our story of Noah, his ark and the animals, and the Great Flood. Each picture is completed with a beautiful rainbow- God's promise that he would never flood the earth again. Attached to the ark is each child's version of this wonderful bible story.


We beautified our Preschool Entrance with a new plaque and some lovely flowers. Some scarecrows have been added to welcome Fall.

ght="534" />

I love Field Trips. I believe they are an important part of Early Childhood. Each year I look for appropriate activities that are a short travel distance from the school. I love outdoor trips to the farm and the zoo; however, my past field trips to the Pumpkin Farm and zoo proved to be disastrous due to bad weather. Therefore, I will no longer plan outdoor trips.

I know there is a concern about the lack of seat belts on school busses. I cannot understand the law allowing this practice to continue. However, it appears to be our only choice of transportation unless each parent drives his/her own child. Legally, I am not allowed to transport any children during school hours.

A Parent/Grandparent/Aunt/Uncle/Caregiver is always welcome to accompany a pre-school child on his/her field trip. A fee is charged for each child and adult who takes part in the activity. If your child does not participate, I ask that he/she remains home from school on the day of the field trip.

This year I have already planned 3 trips. You have received information about the play at GSU. There was a question about the $15.00 fee. Each child and adult who attend must pay $15.00- The ticket is $6.00 and the bus is $9.00. If we fill the bus (because many adults want to attend), I will be able to refund some money. The play is $6.00 a ticket, but the bus is $300.00 for 2 hours. When I determined the total cost, I had to base it on the 26 children enrolled in preschool.

Mother Goose is coming to us on October 20th. Her new show is called: "Teeny, Tiny Halloween." She made a visit last year and she was awesome! Mother Goose is an "In-school" field trip. A letter will be sent home at a later date regarding the fee for this program.

Last week, I visited the Oak Lawn Children's Museum. I met with the Director and we talked for over a hour. This is the best play-based center I have ever seen. I prefer it to the Kohl's Children's Museum, the Indianapolis Museum, and the Children's Museum in Bourbonaisse. It was fantastic. I want to plan a trip there in the near future; however, I wanted to ask the parents about transportation. Once again, the museum fee is $5.00, but the bus would be $300.00 for 2 hours. Dr. Stritch said that if a parent was willing to drive and pick up his/her child, we could skip the bus. I cannot transport any child. All parents are welcome to attend this trip or perhaps a few of you want to car pool? Or should I just get a bus? Please think about this and let me know. I want to go there ASAP. If parents like this idea, we can plan several outings there.

Have a great week!

The PreSchool children seem to have made themselves quite comfortable in the classroom. The tears and sad faces diminish each day. We keep talking about separation and how quickly the time passes when we are busy playing and learning!

There are a few housekeeping issues that I need to address. When we talked at the PreSchool Orientation in August, I mentioned that St. Linus was offering a full-day of PreSchool because several parents had requested this option. I also mentioned that in the past, I have allowed children to stay with me all day if a parent had an emergency, i.e. doctor appointment, funeral, work conflict. This can no longer be an option because of legal issues. There must be a daily record of each child's attendance for the AM and/or PM Session.

Last week, Dr. Stritch sent a letter home clarifiying the all-day PreSchool policy. There are currently only 3 students registered for All Day Preschool.
1. If a PreSchool child needs to stay in school all day (for any reason), a pre-arrangement must be made in the school office.
2. AM and PM attendance must be taken each day. If your child is home sick, you MUST call the school office (708-425-1656) each day your child is absent.
3. A child who attends a full day of school will have his/her tuition adjusted. A fee will be added to your tuition statement for each additional 1/2 day your child is in school.

At our orientation, I also mentioned that milk would not be available this year. Several parents expressed some regret about this situation. I spoke directly with our Hot Lunch Coordinator (Mrs. Mary Ferguson), and she has made it possible for the PreSchool to order milk on a monthly basis. She will submit our milk order with her Hot Lunch school orders. If your son or daughter would like milk at snack time and you have not received a milk form for October, please see me or Mrs. Gute.

I have been the St. Linus PreSchool Teacher for 8 years. I have always had a play-based curriculum. I believe in the power of play. I have a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelors Degree in Music Education (specializing in Early Childhood Music) and a Bachelors Degree in Music Therapy. I am a member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and I am a lifelong learner- I read all the NAEYC journals and articles about Child Development, research on the brain, and the way children learn.

Dr. Stritch has expressed concern about the lack of structure in my classroom following conversations with current and prospective parents of PreSchool Children. I have had some parents mention my style of "projects" rather than paper/pencil work. I am not sure that I have adequately explained Play Based Learning to my school parents or to the School Board/Administration. I have asked Father Bill and Dr. Stritch for the opportunity to address the School Board to talk about the benefits of a Play Based Curriculum. I will let my School Parents know when I will be speaking.

I am passionate about play. It is difficult for me to re-train my brain- I am a musician and I am truly a left-brain educator. I will never believe in anything other than a play-based curriculum for Early Childhood Education (Pre-K through Grade 3). However, I was told to become more structured, and I am working hard to adapt. I have structured the day to minimize the amount of playtime. I truly believe in outside play; however, there may be days when it will have to be eliminated.

When the children come into the classroom, they may play for the first 1/2 hour. I will then have an extended Circle Time for prayer/phonics/reading and instruction. Children will be doing more table work activities. You will receive less projects and more paper/pencil work. We will continue to have Gym/YOGA on Tuesdays.

This Monday is our first All School Mass at 8:30AM. I will be playing (the piano) for the school liturgies. Mrs. Gute (and another school appointed aide) will sit with the children in the cry room. Parents are encouraged and welcome to attend the school liturgies with your son/daughter.

School pictures were taken last week. If you are not happy with your child's photograph (when you receive it), there will be a scheduled day for re-takes. If your child was absent, he or she will have a photo taken on the re-take day.

Our religion time has been focused on prayer and Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Your child knows this story and a song which names each of the lambs. This week we started the Bible Story of Noah, the Great Flood, and the Ark. The children are painting/coloring/pasting an ark and the animals. We are singing a song about Noah.

Each 4 year old child has a Journal to "write" in. I keep the journals until the end of the year. At that time, you can see the progress that your child has made throughout the year. We have completed our first 2 jolly phonics sounds: s and a. We are talking about the numbers 1, 2 and 3.

My daughter AnneMarie is a Freshman at Marist. She decided to take French. I took 4 years of Latin. Therefore, I cannot help her. I purchased Hooked on French, and a PreSchool French CD and Book. I decided that I would learn French right along with her! And so.....your children will be learning French, too. We started Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Anne has been teaching me the Hail Mary. That will be our next effort!

Please contact me: creich@stlinusschool.org with any questions or concerns.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Gute and I had a wonderful first week in the Preschool Room! All of the children are delightful! We are learning each other's names and we are learning how to play together. Our classroom is filled with great learning centers and the children are having fun exploring them.

We pray together each morning at Circle Time. The children are learning the Sign of the Cross and our Morning Prayer: Thank You for this new school day. Watch over me as I work and play. Help me to be kind today. All of this dear Lord, I pray. AMEN. We also thank God for our food with a Snack Prayer: It's time for snack and so we pray, Dear Lord, please bless our food today. We thank You for the healthy food, that makes our bodies strong and good. AMEN.

The GYM is available each morning and afternoon for 30 minutes. The Preschool Children will have GYM every Tuesday AM and PM Sessions. I will also take advantage of the GYM each day if it is raining and we will not be able to play outside. Therefore, I ask that you send your child in GYM Shoes each day. Flip Flops and sandals are dangerous on the slippery GYM floor.

We are talking about the wonderful bodies God gave us and how much each of us has grown up. We are singing songs about our body. We are dancing and moving and exercising. We are practicing YOGA to integrate our awesome Body and Mind. Our goal is to be healthy, strong Preschoolers.

This week we will paint, color and cut while building up our fine motor skills. You will have many beautiful art projects to decorate your windows, refrigerators and walls.

I am continuing to paint the classroom. I finished the window ledge and most of the windows this weekend. The blinds have been sent off for a thorough cleaning. I will be finished painting this week. Now our room is a pretty bright blue and it looks and feels nice and clean!!!

Have a great week!